City profile · Georgia · Census ACS 2023

Sylvester, GA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Sylvester - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

5,557
Residents
$59,808
Median income
$125,000
Median home
$1,129
Median rent (state)

Sylvester - the verdict

Sylvester ranks in the 35th percentile for household income and the 46th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

35th
percentile, household income
19th
percentile, home value
31st
percentile, median rent
46th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Sylvester, GA

5,557 people live in Sylvester, Georgia - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $59,808 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 15.5%. Typical homes in Sylvester are valued around $125,000, and the median resident age is 42.2 years. 16.5% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 54.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 53 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 960% from five years earlier. Sylvester reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1505.9 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Georgia run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Georgia at 96.3 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,129 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Georgia, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 36.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

5,557 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Georgia

Median Household Income

$59,808 /yr

Poverty 15.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Georgia average

How does Sylvester compare to other US cities?

Where Sylvester sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 35% higher than other cities
Home value 19% pricier than other cities
Median rent 31% pricier than other cities
Safety 46% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Georgia alone, Sylvester ranks #72 of 165 Georgia cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Sylvester's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Georgia, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

35thIncome percentile
46thSafety percentile

35th percentile nationally for median household income · 46th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Sylvester's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Sylvester's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 52 Avg. percentile National median
Sylvester's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Sylvester's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$125,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 81% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Sylvester $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Sylvester, GA Sylvester, GA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sylvester, GA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Sylvester, GA median $59,808/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Sylvester, GA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Sylvester, GA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.1%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
5,557
Median Income
$59,808
Median Home Value
$125,000
Median Age
42.2
Poverty Rate
15.5%
Labor force participation
54.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1505.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
204.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1301.4
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,300 residents5,400 residents5,500 residents5,600 residents5,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,612 residents 5,430 residents ▼ -3.2%
Sylvester's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
53
housing units authorized
Single-Family
9
detached homes
Multifamily
44
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
9.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 5
2020 4
2021 5
2022 4
2023 5
2024 53

Permit volume increased 960% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.1%
Carpool
7.7%
Public Transit
2.1%
Walk
4.1%
Work from Home
8.0%
Other
2.0%

Based on 2,285 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Georgia - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$125
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Georgia state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Georgia state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Sylvester sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,129/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
36.5 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Georgia

Oakwood
5,499 people
Adel
5,619 people
Fairview
5,620 people
Eastman
5,624 people
Jackson
5,648 people
Temple
5,655 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sylvester's 5,557 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Monaca, PA
5,557 people
McSwain, CA
5,556 people
New Burlington, OH
5,556 people
Anamosa, IA
5,553 people
Grosse Pointe, MI
5,561 people
Four Corners, MT
5,562 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sylvester's $59,808 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lynchburg, VA
$59,808 median income
Burdett, NY
$59,821 median income
Lexington, TX
$59,821 median income
Liberty, OK
$59,792 median income
St. Petersburg, PA
$59,792 median income
Kieler, WI
$59,792 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sylvester, GA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Sylvester, GA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 35.8% 58.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.3% White 35.8% Black or African American 58.5% Asian 1.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.7% Two or more races 3.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Sylvester compares to nearby Georgia cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Sylvester (this city) 5,557 $59,808
Oakwood 5,499 $61,191
Adel 5,619 $35,897
Fairview 5,620 $60,714
Census ACS 5-year FIPS GA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sylvester, GA?

What is the population of Sylvester, GA? +

5,557 people live in Sylvester, GA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Sylvester, GA? +

Sylvester households earn a median of $59,808 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Sylvester? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Sylvester; the closest available measure is the Georgia state average, a cost of living index of 96.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Georgia vary by metro area.

Is Sylvester, GA safe? +

Sylvester has a total crime rate of 1505.9 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Sylvester, GA? +

Sylvester's median home value sits at $125,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.